HT Bureau
GUWAHATI, Oct 17: The District Agriculture Office, West Karbi Anglong, celebrated Kati Bihu at Maz Gaon, Tumpreng Naam Ghar, under Tumpreng ADO Circle on Thursday. As part of the celebration, an awareness meeting was held where farmers were informed about various schemes of the department and how they can benefit from them.
Ditolal Hasnu, chairman of Veterinary and Animal Husbandry, and Ramson Rongpi, VDC chairman of Bithung Reghthema MAC constituency, were present at the program as chief guests.
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Along with them, district agriculture officer Biswajit Rongpi, senior agriculture development officers Mantu Saikia and Debajit Saikia, sub-divisional agricultural officer Saiful Islam, and agriculture development officers of Tumpreng and Chinthong ADO Circles, Mirjeng Terang and Biraj Kalita respectively, and all the official staff were present at the meeting.
In his speech, Ditolal Hasnu spoke at length about Kati Bihu and its significance. Ramson Rongpi also discussed the initiatives taken by the Agriculture Department and how people are able to avail the benefits of the implemented schemes. Debajit Saikia, senior ADO (Training), spoke about various schemes being implemented by the Agriculture Department and how farmers can benefit from them. Biraj Kalita, ADO Chinthong, spoke at length about the Soil Health Card and its benefits for farmers.
The celebrations included the planting of a tulsi plant as part of a traditional ritual by the esteemed guests. Mustard seeds were also distributed to beneficiary farmers by the guests. The day’s festivities concluded with the lighting of traditional sakis in the paddy field, symbolising hope and unity.
Kati Bihu, also known as Kongali Bihu, is observed on the last day of the Ashwin month in the Assamese calendar, usually falling in October. This festival is closely associated with agriculture and primarily focuses on praying for a bountiful harvest during the upcoming winter season. Farmers light traditional lamps, known as ‘sakis’, and place them in paddy fields to ward off pests and evil spirits that might harm their crops. The lighting of earthen lamps and bonfires also symbolises hope, prosperity, and the dispelling of darkness. The Kati Bihu celebrations serve as a reminder of the importance of sustainable agriculture and cultural heritage, blending tradition and modernity, and ushering in a season of promise for the hardworking farmers of Assam.
Our Kokrajhar correspondent adds: Along with the rest of the state, the districts of the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR) joined in the celebrations of Kati Gasa Pwrbw (Kati Bihu) on Thursday, marked by the traditional practice of lighting earthen lamps in paddy fields.
In Kokrajhar, the District Agricultural Office, government of BTR, celebrated Kati Gasa Pwrbw amidst the presence of farmers and local people from various communities at the Ranighat LP School playground under Simbargaon VCDC.
People from different communities, including farmers, men, and women, participated in the celebrations, offering prayers and worship to Lord Kartik to seek relief from insect infestations affecting paddy and other crops.
Notably, Kati Gasa Pwrbw is celebrated every year on the last day of the Ashin month, with prayers for the well-being of paddy crops. Women, in particular, were seen busy lighting Gasa lamps along the paddy fields in the evening, offering their prayers to Kartik Devota.
MLA Lawrence Islary and officials from the agricultural department in Kokrajhar graced the occasion and extended Kati Bihu greetings to all citizens of the region.
In Baksa, state cabinet minister Urkhao Gwra Brahma graced the Kati Gasa Pwrbw celebration at the Belguri Pwthar in Mushalpur. Minister Brahma inaugurated the festival amid a large gathering of farmers and local citizens, which was organised by the district agricultural office, Mushalpur.
Brahma also felicitated several farmers on the occasion and wished everyone a happy Kati Bihu. He stated that Kati Gasa, celebrated across the state, serves as an opportunity to offer prayers to Lord Kartik for the prosperity of paddy and other crops.
“Kati Gasa is a festival of crop harvesting, and people in Assam have been celebrating it every year on the last day of the Ashin month for the welfare and well-being of paddy crops and human beings,” Brahma said.
In Chirang, people came out in the evening to light Gasa lamps along the paddy fields and offered their prayers to Lord Kartik for the healthy growth of crops.
Pramod Boro, the chief executive member of the Bodoland Territorial Region, extended his Kati Bihu greetings to all citizens of the state on the occasion of the Kati Gasa festival (Kati Bihu). He remarked that it is a festival celebrated by people engaged in agriculture.
The ruling United People’s Party Liberal (UPPL) also extended its best wishes to all citizens of the Bodoland region and the state of Assam as a whole.
Our Morigaon correspondent adds: The Morigaon District Agriculture Office, in collaboration with Mahabahu Farmers’ Producers Company, celebrated the Assamese traditional festival Kati Bihu with pomp and gaiety at Barhula Pather, Charaibahi, on Thursday. The agricultural field of Barhula came alive with the enchanting lighting of sky lanterns and earthen lamps. The officials of the District Agriculture Office kicked off the traditional Kati Bihu celebration by lighting an earthen lamp under the ‘Holy Basil’. The superintendent of police, Hemanta Kr Das, along with ADC Anusuya Sarmah and district agriculture officer Ashok Sarma, lit the sky lantern, praying to the Almighty for peace and prosperity on earth.
The event honoured three respected farmers, namely Mahant Bardoloi, Bhaba Bora, and Ruchinath Bora, for their outstanding contributions to the agricultural sector of Morigaon. It also featured an exchange of views among farmers on various schemes implemented by the Department of Agriculture. The program was moderated by assistant inspector Dibyajyoti Hazarika, while senior agricultural development officer Mushahid Farooq briefed the farmers on the benefits of the departmental schemes.
During the program, seeds for agricultural crops, forest control machinery, horticultural tools, peas, lentils, soybeans, and onions were distributed to eligible beneficiary farmers under various schemes. The event was attended by assistant director of Agriculture Tapan Kumar Brahma, Surya Kumar Amchi, sub-divisional agriculture officer Gautam Nath, and other officials.
Our Demow correspondent adds: Kati Bihu, also known as Kongali Bihu, was celebrated in Demow and surrounding areas on Thursday. On this occasion, residents, including children, lit earthen lamps in their homes, paddy fields, granaries, and in front of Tulsi plants, praying for a bountiful harvest.
In Bokota 1 No Konwar Gaon, Kati Bihu festivities were organised at the Naam Ghar under the patronage of the Sivasagar District Agriculture Department, in association with local farmers and residents. Gitali Dowerah, additional commissioner (Agriculture), attended the event, while Asif Borah, district agriculture officer, delivered the welcome speech. Amrit Saikia, district agriculture assistant director, also shared his insights during the program.
Farmers from the Demow area, including Anupam Barua, Anuj Barua, Nilamoni Konwar, Pradip Konwar, Prabhat Konwar, and S. Konwar, along with senior citizens such as Lalit Konwar (gaon pradhan of 1 No Konwar Gaon), Junabor Konwar (a social worker), and Budheswar Konwar, were honoured during the event. The program concluded with a Diha Naam performance near the Basil (Tulsi) plant, followed by the lighting of an earthen lamp in the paddy field.
